❓ Mr. Baker asks about the Cook Labor government's approach to housing for vulnerable Western Australians and alternative plans. The Minister responds by highlighting government initiatives, criticising the opposition's lack of engagement and policy.
AnsweredQoN 493Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Housing—Fraser Suites
493. Mr Geoff Baker to
the Minister for Housing and Works:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to ensuring every Western Australian has a home.
(1) Can the minister outline to the house how the
Cook Labor government is addressing housing for our most vulnerable?
(2) Is the minister aware of any credible
alternative to the government's plan?
493. Mr Geoff Baker to
the Minister for Housing and Works:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to ensuring every Western Australian has a home.
(1) Can the minister outline to the house how the
Cook Labor government is addressing housing for our most vulnerable?
(2) Is the minister aware of any credible
alternative to the government's plan?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
want to thank the member for his question.
As we know, our state government has made housing a key priority,
and it is reflected in everything we do. In fact, the TAFE campaign that we
have just launched is also a reflection of that. We have actually provided an
additional $21.9 million so that we can bolster the construction workforce by
expanding fee-free TAFE courses to seven courses in housing construction,
including civil construction, bricklaying and blocklaying,
plumbing, wall and ceiling lining, solid plastering and construction pathways. It demonstrates that across the board, we understand that there is not a
single silver bullet. It is a multifaceted approach to boosting housing supply,
and that includes our investment in the TAFE system and fee-free courses. Those
construction workforces back in our huge investment of $5.8 billion dollars in
housing and homelessness measures. We are making good progress with our target
of 5,800 social homes, with more than 3,500 already delivered.
Just this week, as reported to
the Parliament today, progress is being made on a signature project, which is
Fraser Suites. We are doing everything we can to boost construction in the
housing market. We have also demonstrated that we are prepared to think outside
the box in my own electorate in East Perth to make big, bold decisions to
acquire short-stay accommodation and convert it into long-term accommodation. Kardan
Construction is an Aboriginal construction firm that works on social and
affordable housing projects. It is doing the first works. We have also gone out
to the market to three community housing providers: Community Housing, Foundation
Housing and Housing Choices WA. One of them will be selected to manage that
accommodation. That is our approach: thinking outside the box to deliver rapid
responses to housing.
I note very limited engagement
on the other side. In fact, the shadow housing spokesperson has really gone
missing. They have sent out search parties; they cannot find him. I will start
creating wanted signs for him because the media cannot find him to the point that
Hon Steve Martin has stepped back into the place.
Can I show members its level on
Fraser Suites? Remember that at the last election, after four years, that side's
social housing policy was, "We're going to match what the Labor government
is doing and its expenditure." I should take that as a compliment, really.
But you would think that after four years, it could have developed some social
housing policy. Since then, we have heard crickets. In fact, on Fraser Suites,
the only two pieces of commentary I have had from the opposition is that the
shadow housing spokesperson asked about the pool because that is the big thing
to worry about, and the second was from Hon Simon Ehrenfeld, who asked how we
were going to allocate tenants and whether it was going to give consideration
to whether those apartments had views of the river and city. The second part
was concerned about the real estate values for neighbours. Let us be very
clear: that side at the last election had zero social housing policy. Since
then, we have a shadow housing spokesperson who is literally missing.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr John Carey: Do members know what is really
fascinating? The Leader of the Liberal Party cannot even mention the member's
name. Since then, the biggest concern has been about the pool at Fraser Suites
and who is getting what views. They are its concerns about social housing
policy. That side does not care. It does not care. It does not do any policy
work. You know what? It is no wonder when the Leader of the Liberal Party's
biggest social housing and homelessness measure was shutting down a women's
shelter.
want to thank the member for his question.
As we know, our state government has made housing a key priority,
and it is reflected in everything we do. In fact, the TAFE campaign that we
have just launched is also a reflection of that. We have actually provided an
additional $21.9 million so that we can bolster the construction workforce by
expanding fee-free TAFE courses to seven courses in housing construction,
including civil construction, bricklaying and blocklaying,
plumbing, wall and ceiling lining, solid plastering and construction pathways. It demonstrates that across the board, we understand that there is not a
single silver bullet. It is a multifaceted approach to boosting housing supply,
and that includes our investment in the TAFE system and fee-free courses. Those
construction workforces back in our huge investment of $5.8 billion dollars in
housing and homelessness measures. We are making good progress with our target
of 5,800 social homes, with more than 3,500 already delivered.
Just this week, as reported to
the Parliament today, progress is being made on a signature project, which is
Fraser Suites. We are doing everything we can to boost construction in the
housing market. We have also demonstrated that we are prepared to think outside
the box in my own electorate in East Perth to make big, bold decisions to
acquire short-stay accommodation and convert it into long-term accommodation. Kardan
Construction is an Aboriginal construction firm that works on social and
affordable housing projects. It is doing the first works. We have also gone out
to the market to three community housing providers: Community Housing, Foundation
Housing and Housing Choices WA. One of them will be selected to manage that
accommodation. That is our approach: thinking outside the box to deliver rapid
responses to housing.
I note very limited engagement
on the other side. In fact, the shadow housing spokesperson has really gone
missing. They have sent out search parties; they cannot find him. I will start
creating wanted signs for him because the media cannot find him to the point that
Hon Steve Martin has stepped back into the place.
Can I show members its level on
Fraser Suites? Remember that at the last election, after four years, that side's
social housing policy was, "We're going to match what the Labor government
is doing and its expenditure." I should take that as a compliment, really.
But you would think that after four years, it could have developed some social
housing policy. Since then, we have heard crickets. In fact, on Fraser Suites,
the only two pieces of commentary I have had from the opposition is that the
shadow housing spokesperson asked about the pool because that is the big thing
to worry about, and the second was from Hon Simon Ehrenfeld, who asked how we
were going to allocate tenants and whether it was going to give consideration
to whether those apartments had views of the river and city. The second part
was concerned about the real estate values for neighbours. Let us be very
clear: that side at the last election had zero social housing policy. Since
then, we have a shadow housing spokesperson who is literally missing.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr John Carey: Do members know what is really
fascinating? The Leader of the Liberal Party cannot even mention the member's
name. Since then, the biggest concern has been about the pool at Fraser Suites
and who is getting what views. They are its concerns about social housing
policy. That side does not care. It does not care. It does not do any policy
work. You know what? It is no wonder when the Leader of the Liberal Party's
biggest social housing and homelessness measure was shutting down a women's
shelter.
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